Filtration and recirculation system for deep fat cooking apparatus



FILTRATION `AND RECIRCULATION SYSTEM 06f 22, 1963 n R L. LONGMIRE 3,107,601

FOR DEEP FAT COOKING APPARATUS Filed sept. 2, 1958 2 Snets=-s1i99t 1 RICHARD L. LONGM/RE /NVENTOR' HUEBNER 8 WORREL A TOPNEYS wa/WM 3,107,601 FILTRATEGN AND RECiRCULATlN SYSTEM FR DEEP FAT COKHNG APPARATUS Richard L. Longmire, Fresno, Calif. (576 Bonita, Las Vegas, Nev.) Filed Sept. 2, 195S, Ser. No. 758,369 7 Claims. (Cl. 99-33) The present invention relates to a filtration and recirculation system for a deep fat cooking apparatus and more particularly to such a system which is automatically and continuously operable, if desired, and which functions to clean and increase the life of cooking grease ernployed and to minimize hazards in connection with the handling of the grease.

It is well-known to employ a ydeep fat fryer for the purpose of preparing 'certain foods such as french fried potatoes, sh, and the like, in restaurants, drive-ins and other eating places. A deep fat fryer usually includes a tank or container mounted in upright position and nearly filled with grease which is usually heated -to a temperature of about 375 F. The food to be fried is placed in a perforated basket and immersed for a predetermined time in the hot grease. Frying of foods in grease in this manner causes the grease to break down chemically forming acids and carbon particles lwhich lend an undesirable taste and color yto the food and which may cling there-to. Accordingly, it is known that cooking `grease loses its eectiveness as a cooking medium after a relatively short period of use. Even with ygood grease :and with regular straining, `only above five or six `days life can be obtained from grease by restaurants continuously `cooking therein.

An average restaurant currently may strain its frying grease every twelve to fourteen hours in order to get the maximum life and cooking qualities therefrom. For this purpose deep fry tanks usually provide downwardly disposed drainage outlets and valves connected to the outlets through Wbich the grease may be removed from the tank. The conventional straining procedure is first to position a bucket underneath the `outlet of the fry tank; to tension a filter cloth over the bucket; and to 'open the valve to allow the grease gravitationally to drain out of the tank, through the cloth, and into the bucket. In order to maintain maximum flowability of the grease, to reduce loss of good grease, and to improve filtration, the straining procedure is usually conducted at temperatures afbove 300 F. yand usually around the normal cooking temperatures. After the grease has been completely strained, it is lifted in the bucket and poured back in-to the tank either for further straining or for rfurther use. At the same time new grease may be added to replenish that which has been expended.

In addition to the possibilities that 4the grease may splatter or spill While `draining or pouring there are several other perhaps even more significant disadvantages. For example, as grease strains through the lter cloth and into the bucket, air pressure builds up between the level of the iiltered grease in the bucket `and the filter cloth slowing down the operation considerably. In addition, some attendants may carelessly leave the outlet valve on the tank open with a full bucket of grease therebelolw and proceed to wash out the deep fry tan-k. lf 'water is poured into the tank, it then drains down into the bucket of grease and, being heavier Ithan the grease, sinks to the bottom of the bucket. grease, this water rapidly turns into steam creating excessive pressures underneath the grease and resulting in an explosion. These and other hazards are well recognized in the restaurant business. The insurance rates ydemonstrate the frequency and severity of [burns -accil dentally incurred from cleaning and/or changing deep fat frying grease. Because of these hazards and/or the At the temperature of thel V.United States Patent ce n isaiasi Patented Get. 22, 1963 insurance rates, some restaurants hesitate to filter their grease at all orl as frequently as it might be desirable. This results in reduced grease life and decrease in the quality of foods prepared.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a filtration and recirculation system for a deep fat cookingV apparatus.

Another object is to provide such a system which is optionally automatically and continuously operable.

Another object is to minimize the hazards associa-ted with the changing, cleaning, or other handling of grease used in deep fat cooking apparatus.

Another object is to increase the life of deep fat cooking purposes.

Another object is to minimize chemical breakdown, and the formation of acid-s and carbon particles in cooking grease.

Another object is to minimize the expense in connection -with the operation of a deep fat cooking apparatus.

Another object is to improve the iiavor and appearance of foods prepared in a deep fat frying apparatus.

Another object is to provide -a constant filtra-tion and recirculation system for `a deep fat frying apparatus which is safe to operate and automatically controls temperatures and grease levels.

Another object 4is to provide 'an apparatus of the nature grease usedfor described which is easy to clean and iotherwise maintain.

Another object is to provide such a system in which grease is automatically replenished as it is used to :maintain a substantially uniform quantity .of grease in the system `at all times. v

IAnother object is to provide a system of the type described twhich can -be installed in new or exis-ting cooking facilities.

These, together with other objects, will become more fully apparent upon reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of ya filtration and recirculation system embodying the principles of ithe present invention and shown incorporated in ia deep fat cooking apparatus iwhich is partially illustrated in vertical cross section.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of a filter and other structure employed in the prese-nt invention.

FIG. 3 is a somewhat enlarged longitudinal vertical section of the filter employed in the subject system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic electrical circuit used with the system of the present invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a support, generally indicated by the numeral 10, includes a plural-ity of legs 11 having upper and lower ends 12 and 13 and a crossbar 14. The deep fat cooking apparatus of the subject invention provides a tank 16 rigidly mounted in the support 10 in upright position and including an annular .ri-m 17 rested on the upper ends olf the legs, a frustoconical upper ange 18, a cylindrical side Wall 19, and a generally conical downwardly convex bottom wall 20. The side Wall of the tank provides an upper liquid fat inlet 22, and the bottom wall provides a downwardly disposed concentric liquid fat `outlet 23 located substantially at the apex of the bottom wall. The tank may be externally covered with insulation, not shown, for heat retentive purposes, to maintain more constant cooking Y. temperatures, and for economy of operation.

Brackets 3l) are transversely adjustably mounted on the bar 14 in the support 10' in spaced relation to each other, and a pair of spaced bearing blocks 311 and 32 are rigidly secured to the brackets. The bearing blocks have opposed, coaxial, horizontally disposed sockets 33 and 34. The socket 33 in the bearing block 31, hereinafter referred to as the fluid conducting bearing block, constitutes a fiuid pass-age having an internally threaded inlet 36 and an outlet 37, as seen in FIG. 3.

An elongated rigid outlet conduit 42 provides an upper end connected by any suitable means to the outlet 23 in the bottom wall 2li of the tank 16 4and Aa downwardly extended lower end. A manual three position outlet valve 44 is connected in the outlet conduit so as to divide it into upper and lower sections and provides a handle 45 for moving the valve into its various positions. The manual outlet valve has an open position connecting the upper section of the outlet conduit to the lower section for pass-age of fluid therethrough; ia closed position blocking any iluid passage through the outlet conduit; and a filter bleeding position blocking passage of fluid from the upper section of the outlet conduit to the lower section thereof but opening the lower section of the conduit to the atmosphere. An internally threaded female litting 46 having ears 45 is slidably ymounted on the lower end of the outlet conduit tor a purpose to be described. An automatic tank valve 48 is also connected in the outlet conduit 42 above the outlet valve 44 and has open and closed positions. An electr-ical tank solenoid 49 is connected to the tank valve for moving it between its open and closed positions. The automatic valve is normally spring-urged into closed position. A by-pass 47 including a manual valve may be provided in parallel with the automatic tank valve in the event that it is desired to ldisable action of this valve, as lwill be evident from the following description.

A iilter 50 includes a housing 51 having a sultantially conical lower wall 52, a cylindrical side wall 53, `and an 4open upper end. A solid trunnion 55 is rigidly outwardly extended from one side of the wall 53 and journaled in the socket 34 of the bea-ring block 32. A tubular liuid conducting trunnion S6 is rigidly outwardly extended from the side wall 53 in coaxial alignment with the solid trun- 'nion and is journaled in the inlet 36 of the socket 33` in the bearing block 31. The tubular trunnion provides an annular head 57 seated in the socket 33. An annular externally threaded nut S8 is rotatably and axially slidably mounted in the tubular trunnon for screw-threading into the inlet 36 of the socket into engagement with the head 57 thereby precluding axial outward movement of the bearing block 31 and the tubular trunnion. The iilter housing is mounted iu the described manner for pivotal movement :around a substantially horizontal axis defined by the trunnions between an upright operating position in substantially vertically aligned coaxial relationship with the tmk, as rshown in FIGS. 1 and 3, yand a laterally outwardly inclined or tilted cleaning and lreplace-ment position, as shown in FIG. 2. A stop 6G is removably mounted by bolts, as 61, in the support 19 on the lbrackets 3d forwardly of the lter. When the housing is in sai-d cleaning and replacement position, it abuis the stop so as to be limited to a predetermined degree of angular inclination. However, upon release of the bolts 61, the stop can be removed so -as to enable complete inversion of the ilter housing for dumping the contents thereof.

The filter housing 51 has a lower annular support ledge 65 mounted internally therein in upwardly spaced relation to the trunnions 55 and 56. A filter cartridge 66 is longitudinally slidably fitted in the housing .and includes a plurality of lower fine lter units 67 each having an upwardly extended annular band 68, and a conical port-ion 69 concentric to the housing and extended upwardly therein. Each conical portion provides a central hub 70 `and a plurality of peripherally spaced webs 71 rigidly interconnecting the hub and the band. Each of the bands also provides an upper offset -annular shoulder 72, the

upper line litter unit being fitted on the shoulder of the lower fine iilter unit. Further, each line filter unit has a tine mesh cloth '74 stretched over the webs and providing a circular edge in the corner between the conical portion and its respective band. Snap rings 7S are releasably fitted in the tilter units for holding the cloths in place.

The cartridge 66 also includes a plurality of upper coarse filter units each of which has a conical portion 81 concentric to the housing S1 Iand extended upwardly therein and an annular lband 82 relatively interiitted on annular shoulders 83 ot' the filter units Si), the lowermost shoulder 83 being fitted on the shoulder of the uppermost fine filter unit 67. The conical portions of the coarse filters are provided with a plurality of apertures 84 spaced therein throughout substantially their entire surfaces. The diameter of the holes in the coarse filter units are successively smaller from the oper-most to the lowermost coarse filter unit for successively increased filtering action. lt is to be noted that the cloths 74 are of even finer mesh with resultant` greater ltering action than the lowerxnost coarse filter unit.

The lowermost fine iilter unit 67 provides opposed diametrically related openings 88. A U-shaped bail 89 provides lower ends 90 vreleasably fitted in the openings 88 and 4a handle 91 extended diametrieally across the top fof the upper coarse filter unit 80. IThe cartridge 66 can lbe slidably removed I*from the housing or inserted therein by grasping the bail and pulling outwardly or pushing inwardly thereon. It is also to be noted that the filter includes a heater 93 mounted in the lower portion of the housing 51 below the support ledge 65.

The iilter Sil additionally has an upwardly substantially yconvex conical cover 95 providing an annular ange 96 screw-threaded on the side wall 53 of the housing 50 in closing relation to the upper end of the housing. Alternatively, the cover may be attached to the-housing lbye. quick-release connection, of the bayonet-type for example, so that it is removed or replaced by only a traction of a full turn of the 1cover relative to the housing. The cover provides ia concentric inlet opening lat its apex, and an inlet duct 93 is rigidly upwardly extended therefrom and provides a radial flange 99. An annular externally threaded male fitting 169 is rotatably and axially slidably fitted on the inlet duct and is adapted to be screw-threaded into the iitting 46 when .the outlet conduit 42 and the inlet duct 98 are in coaxial alignment. A packing washer itil preferably is interposed at the lower end of the outlet conduit and the radial ange 99. Diametrically related handling wings 103 are also provided on the cover 95.

An elongated delivery conduit 106 provides a lower end connected to the outlet 37 of the socket 33 in the fluid conducting bearing block 31 and an upper end connected to the inlet 22 in the tank 16. A iiuid pump 107 is connected in the delivery conduit and is mounted in the support 1i). The pump is provided for recirculating liquid fat from the tank, through the filter 50 and back into the tank. Used or contaminated fat is discharged from the .tank by Agravity into the filter whereupon, `after filtration, it is pumped upward-ly through the delivery conduit into the tank. An electrical motor 108 is mounted in the support 10 and has driving connection to the pump. Preferably, the delivery conduit extends alongside of and in closely adjacent relation or contract with the filteryhous'- ing 51 and the tank 16, as shown, in an effort to minimize temperature Idrop in the system. A pressure regulator 110 is connected in the delivery conduit between the pump and the inlet to the tank so that 'grease is pumped slowly, and does not squirt or stream out into the tank. It desirable, the pump may include la `by-pass, not shown, to recycle grease if the pressure built up between the pump and 'the regulator exceeds a predetermined level.

A liquid fat reservoir 11S includes a downwardly disposed outlet 116 and an open top 1'17 which may optionally be provided lwith a removable cover, not shown. A flexible reservoir hose 118 connects the outlet of the reservoir to the filter housing 5.1 adjacent to its lower end. The outlet of the reservoir is maintained above the point of discharge of the hose or'enabling gravitational ow therethrough. Manual and automatic reservoir control valves 119 and 120, respectively, are serially connected in the reservoir hose and provide open and closed positions whereupon liquid fat is released for gravitational ilow into the liliter when both of the valves are open and whereupon such flow -is blocked when one or both of the valves are closed. An electrically operated solenoid 122 is mounted in the support and connected to the automatic valve for moving it between its ope-n and closed positions. A reservoir heater `124- is provided in the reservoir especially for use if cooking fat is employed which solid at room temperatures. It is to be noted that the words fat and grease are used interchangeably throughout the present description.

A microswitch 130' is mounted in the support 10l and has open and closed positions `although being springurged into open position. The microswitch also provides an actuating button 'or element 13-2 extended forwardly outwardly therefrom, adapted to close the microswitch when depressed, but allowing the microswitch to open under spring urgence when released. The microswitch is mounted adjacent to the lter housing 51 so that when the housing is in its upright operating position, the housing engages the button to close the microswitch. When the housing is pivoted outwardly into its cleaning and replacement position, pressure on the button is relieved allowing the microswitch to open.

An upper thermostatic fat level control switch 140 having two alternately and oppositely closed contacts 141 and i142 is mounted in a recess in the side wall 19 of the tank 16 and is adapted to extend generally radially inwardly of the tank for immersion into liquid fat in the tank upon elevation of the fat to a predetermined level. A lower thermostatic fat level control switch 143 is extended -into the tank below the upper thermostatic switch and is also mounted in a recess. The lower switch is adapted to be submerged in liquid yfat in the tank under normal operating conditions of the apparatus. Each of the thermostatic switches includes Ibi-metallic switch blades adapted to engage or -disengage their respective contacts incident to change of temperature. The blade of the upper thermostatic switch engages the contact 142 at room temperatures and is adapted to engage the contact 141 when immersed in liquid fat at a predetermined elevated temperature. When the fat cools or its level falls below the upper thermostatic switch the switch blade thereof returns to engagement with the contact 1'41. The lower thermostatic switch, although closed at room temperatures, is open during normal operation of the cooking apparatus since it is immersed in liquid fat in the tank which `fat is suciently hot to open the switch. If the fat level falls below the lower thenmostatic switch, the latter cools and its blade and single contact close, that is, move into engagement.

Referring to FIG. 4, Ian electrical system employed with the present invention is illustrated `and includes a source of electrical voltage 159. The reservoir heater 124 is connected in series with an adjustable reservoir temperature control thermostat -151 and this series combination is connected across the source of voltage. The tank heater 25 and the lter heater 93 both have adjustable temperature control thermostats 152 and 15-3 individually connected in series therewith, and each of these series combinations is connected in parallel with the source of voltage. Further, the electrical system provides for connection of .fthe electrical motor y108 in series with the contact i142 of the upper control thermostatic switch 140 land this series combination is connected across the source of voltage. -lt is to be noted that the other contact lol of the upper thermostatic switch is connected between the motor and the solenoid 49. An adjustable circuit interrupting timer i158 is connected in series with the motor for energizing and de-energizing the motor intermittently, by opening and closing the circuit, in the event that constant recirculation is not desirable. Shooting circuits for disabling the timer include a manual switch 159 and the contacts 166y of a relay 16d connected individually in parallel with the timer. Also the outlet solenoid 49 is connected in series with the motor so that whenever the motor is energized, the solenoid is energized to keep the valve 48 open, and whenever the motor is de-energized and the upper thermostatic switch is at room temperatures, the solenoid is de-energized `to close the valve 48. The electrical solenoid 122vis connected in series with the relay 161 and the lower thermostatic control switch and this series combination is connected in parallel with the source of voltage. The microswitch 139 is connected in series with the source of voltage and the parallel circuits including the tank and lter heaters, the motor, and the reservoir solenoid so that each of these parallel circuits are tlc-energized when the rnicroswitch opens. Preferably, a master control switch 175 is connected in the electrical system ttor energizing 'and deenergizing these parallel circuits as well as the parallel circuit including the reservoir heater. Y

Operation The operation of the described embodiment of the subject invention is believed to be readily apparent and is brieily summarized at this point. ln order initially to prepare the subject cooking apparatus for deep lfait frying, for example, the manual valves 44 and 119 are moved into their closed positions, and the lter 50 is placed its upright operating position with the outlet conduit 42 connected to the inlet duct 98. `Of course, the filter cartridge 66 is properly assembled and inserted within the lter housing 51. The tank 16 is supplied with a quantity of cooking fat up to a desired level at which the lower thermostatic switch '141 is immersed in Ithe fait. lFurthermore, the reservoir 115 is iilled with a quantity of cooking tat. Either fat which is solid or liquid at room ternperatures may be used. The thermostats 151, 152 and 153 are adjusted tothe temperatures desired in their respective reservoir, tank, and filter. Usually the grease in the reservoir should be kept just owable at about F. while in the tank it is maintained at cooking temperature of about 37 0-375 F. The temperature of the grease in the filter is somewhat below cooking temperature. l

The valve 44 is opened by mean-s of the handle 45, and the by-pass 47 `is closed. The master control switch 175 is also closed thereby to energize the heaters 25', 93l and 124, and the motor 108. Ater the [grease in the tank 16 is at the desired temperature so that the thermostatic switch 143:` is open, the manual valve 119l is opened. Liquid Ifat in the tank A16 gravitaltes downwardly through the outlet conduit 42 into the filter 50. The grease passes through the lter and is pumped upwardly through the delivery conduit 106 by the pump 109 back into the tank through the inlet 22. 'It may be necessary to add more grease as the apparatus .is first placed into opera-tion to keep the grease in the tank at a desired level because' of 'glie grease drained from the rtank and passing through the ter.

Assuming the grease has been used for cooking purposes and contains particles to be ltered therefrom, the action of the filter cartridge 66 is considered. Grease drops downwardly onto the uppermost coarse lter unit S9 where it iiows downwardly along the conical portion S1 |toward the band 82. The larger foreign particles in the grease collect on the conical portion whereas the preliminarily ltered grease passes through to the next iilter unit. It will be evident that the ltering action is increased with each lter unit including the ne filter unit 67 until the grease reaches the lower portion of the iilter housing 51 where it is substantially free and clean of foreign particles. The advantage of having upwardly conical portions 69 and 81 is that the foreign particles iiltered out of the grease tend to be washed outwardly along the conical portions and into the corners between the bands 68 and 82 and the conical portions thereby leaving the central areas of the conical portions substantially free for passage of filtered grease therethrough. Obviously the number of filter units 67 or 8l? may be varied, as required.

The pump 169 continuously recirculates the fat through the apparatus thereby maintaining the fat substantially free and clean of carbon and other foreign particles in the tank 16 for optimum frying conditions. However, it may be found in certain operations that continuous recirculation of the fat is undesirable or unnecessary. If so, the timing switch 159 is opened and the timer 158 adjusted to turn the motor 108 on for a predetermined time and thereafter to turn itotifor a predetermined time. Thus, for exaxnple, vthe `pump may recirculate fat through the system for a fifteen minute period every hour rather than continuously. It will be noted by reference to FIG. 4 that whenever the motor is cle-energized to stop recirculation of the grease, the solenoid 49 is de-energized to close the valve 48 so that grease Will not continue to drain from the tank into the iilter 5t). Conversely, whenever the motor is energized, 'the solenoid 49 is energized to open the valve 48 and permit recirculation.

if the pump 107 forces liquid fat into the tank 16 faster than it is removed or discharged downwardly therefrom into the iilter 50, the fat level in the tank may rise and contact the upper thermostatic switch 140. If so, the switch blade of the latter moves out of engagement with the contact 142, thereby cie-energizing the motor 108 and turning off the pump 107', and into engagement with the contact 141 so as to keep the solenoid 49 energized and the valve 4S open. Thus, pumping of liquid fat from the filter into the tank is temporarily stopped until sufficient fat drains downwardly from the tank into the filter to emerse the upper thermostatic switch so that it will cool and the blade thereof will return to engagement with the contact 142. Also, if the instant system is used for double cooking units, employing two or more tanks 16, and if one tank or filter becomes clogged; or even with a single unit if the automatic reservoir valve 120 fails, then the upper thermostatic switch prevents overflow from the tank of excess grease which otherwise would be pumped into the tank.

Conversely, after continued operation of the apparatus, the supply of clean fat will continuously diminish until the level of fat in the tank 16 drops below the lower thermostatic switch 143. This switch cools and thereupon closes to energize the solenoid 122 thereby to open the valve 120. This also energizes relay 161 to close its contacts 169 and to disable the timer, if being employed, whereby operation ofthe motor is not interrupted while the reservoir valve is open. This releases liquid fat gravitationally from the reservoir through the hose 118 into the lter 5t) whereupon the fat in the system is replenished. An additional amount of liquid fat is supplied from the reservoir to the systemuntil the liquid level in the tank again contacts or submerges the lower microswitch.

After a predetermined period of operation, it is necessary to replace or clean the filter Si). For this purpose, the valve 44 is closed with the motor 108 continuing to run. The pump therefore continues to pump filtered grease from the filter into the tank 16 although tiow of dirty grease into the filter is precluded. When the grease rises in the tank to a level where it contacts the upper thermostatic switch 140, the switch blade of the latter moves out of engagement with the contact 142 and into engagement with the contact 141. The motor is thereby de-energized to stop pumping of grease into the tank. The amount of grease remaining in the iilter will depend on the total grease currently in the system; preferably the housing 51 is less than half full under such circumstances.

The fittings 46 and 100 are disconnected to permit pivoting of the filter housing 51 from its operating position to its outwardly inclined cleaning and replacement position. Of course, if it is desired uto dump the filter contents, then the bolts 61 are removed. This relieves pressure on the microswitch button 132 so that the microswitch opens. If the filter is disconnected and pivoted outwardly without opening the master control switch 17S, therefore, the opening of the microswitch actsas a safety feature since it positively disconnects the heaters 25 and 93 in the tank 16 and the iilter, the electrical motor 163, and the solenoid 122 from the source of voltage. Since both the upper and the lower thermostatic switches 14@ and 143k are submerged, the motor and the solenoid are already tie-energized when the microswitch opens. However, if the fat should cool to asufliciently low temperature during cleaning of the filter to cause the thermostatic switches to return to the positions they assume at room temperature, then the motor and the solenoid 122 still do not energize becauseof the open microswitch.

The cover is then removed from the housing to permit access to the iilter cartridge 66. The cartridge-is removed, cieaned, and replaced, and the cover is returned to its position on the housing. The filter units 67 and 80 are easily and thoroughly cleaned in a dish washing machine, not shown. The housing 51 is then pivoted back into its operating position and connections to the outlet conduit 42 are made as believed evident. The master control switch is opened; the outlet valve 44 and bypass 47 are opened; and the manual reservoir valve 119 is closed all until the level of the grease in the tank 16 has dropped to a desirable cooking level. The by-plass S7 and the master switch are then closed and, when the fat is at Kthe desired cooking temperature, the manual reservoir valve is opened. The system then continues to operate as described above. l

From the foregoing, it will be evident that a system has been provided for filtering and recirculating liquid fat or grease which is particularly useful in a deep fat cooking apparatus. The system is particularly advantageous since it maintains grease in a desirably clean condition and minimizes hazards in the handling of such grease. It is automatically and continuously or intermittently operable, adjustable for various cooking conditions, and provides several safety features. Utilization of a system of the type described improves the conditions ofsanitation in a restaurant in which it is employed as well as the character of the food served.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a deep fat fryer including a support and a tank mounted in the support adapted to hold liquid fat at elevated temperatures and having an upper fat inlet and a lower fat outlet, an apparatus for maintaining the fat in the tank at a predetermined level and for continuously recirculating and filtering the fat comprising a filter mounted in the support having an upper inlet connected in fluid communication with the lower outlet of the tank, a lower liquid outlet, and means in the filter for removing foreign particles from liquid fat passing from the inlet of the iilter to the outlet thereof; a delivery conduit interconnecting the fat inlet in the tank and the outlet in the lilter; a pump connected in the delivery conduit for recirculating liquid fat from the tank into the iilter and back into the tank; a liquid fat reservoir having an outlet and being connected to pressure means for forcing such fat out of the reservoir through said outlet; a reservoir conductorY providing fluid connection between the lter and outlet of the reservoir; a. reservoir valve connected in the reservoir conductor; electromagnetic means connected to the valve for opening and closing the same whereby with the valve open, said pressure rneans passes fat from the reservoir into the filter; and a thermostat connected to the electromagnetic means and extended into the tank for operating the electromagnetic means to close the valve when submersed in liquid fat in the tank and for operating the electromagnetic means to open the valve when the level of the liquid fat in the tank falls below the thermostat.

2. ln a deep fat fryer including a support and a tank mounted in the suppport and adapted to hold liquid fat at elevated temperatures and having a downwardly disposed outlet, an apparatus for maintaining the fat in the tank at a predetermined level and for continuously recirculating and filtering the fat comprising spaced bearing blocks mounted in the suppport below the tank and including opposed sockets; a filter including7 a housing having a lower liquid outlet, a cover releasably secured to the housing having an inlet, filtering means releasably mounted in the housing between the outlet of the housing and the inlet in the cover for filtering liquids passing through the housing, a heater in the housing for maintaining liquid fat therein at a predetermined temperature, and substantially horizontal trunnions secured to and outwardly oppositely extended from the housing and rotatably journaled in the sockets of the bearing blocks thereby mounting the housing for pivotal movement between an operating position in substantially vertical alignment with the tank and a cleaning position laterally outwardly inclined from said operating position, one of the trunnions being tubular and providing liquid communication between the interior of the filter and its respective socket; an outlet conduit releasably interconnecting the outlet of the tank and the inlet in the cover for releasing dirty fat into the filter, the tank having a fat inlet; a delivery conduit interconnecting the fat inlet in the tank and the socket in which the tubular trunnion is journaled; a pump connected in the delivery conduit for pumping filtered liquid fat from the filter back into the tank; a liquid fat reservoir having an outlet and being connected to pressure means for forcing such fat out of the reservoir through said outlet; a reservoir conductor providing fluid connection between the filter housing and the reservoir outlet; a reservoir valve connected in the reservoir conductor; electromagnetic means connected to the valve for opening and closing the same whereby with the valve open, said pressure means passes fat from the reservoir into the filter; and a thermostat connected to the electromagnetic means and extended into the tank for submersion in liquid fat therein during which time the reservoir valve remains closed but effective to trigger the electromagnetic means to open the reservoir valve when the fat level falls below a predetermined level and the theremostat is emersed from the fat.

3. In the deep fat fryer of claim 2, an electrical system including a source of voltage, an electrical motor mounted in the support and connected to the pump for driving the same, and an electrical switch mounted in the support having open and closed positions and an actuating element for opening and closing the switch, the source of voltage, the motor, and the switch being connected in series so that upon opening of the switch the motor is de-energized to turn off the pump and upon closing of the switch, the motor is energized to actuate t'ne pump, the lter housing engaging the switch element to close the switch when the housing is in said operating position and being disengageable from the switch element to open the switch when the housing is in said cleaning position.

4. In the deep fat fryer of claim 3, an upper level thermostat connected in series with the voltage source, the motor, and the switch and extended into the tank above the thermostat connected to the electromagnetic means for de-energizing the motor when the fat level in the tank rises into contact with said upper level thermostat thereby to maintain the level of the fat in the tank at said predetermined upper level.

5. In a deep fat cooking apparatus including a tank adapted to contain liquid fat at a predetermined temperature and height and having an upper inlet and a lower outlet, a iilter having an upper inlet and a lower outlet, a tank conduit interconnecting the outlet of the tank and the inlet of the filter for discharging fat from the tank into the filter, an electrically operated valve having open and closed positions connected in the tank conduit for allowing and blocking fluid flow therethrough, a delivery conduit interconnecting the outlet of the lter and the inlet of the tank, and a pump connected in the delivery conduit for pumping liquid fat from the filter into the tank; an electrical system comprising a source of voltage, a motor connected to the pump for driving the same, a solenoid having an armature connected to the valve and a coil, and an electrical timer in series circuit with the motor, the coil and the source of voltage for intermittently opening and closing the circuit to energize and deenergize the motor and the solenoid thereby to turn the pump on and ofi and to open and close the valve. l

6. The electrical system of claim 5 including a thermostatic switch mounted in the tank for immersion in liquid fat in the tank upon rise of the fat to a predetermined level and connected in circuit with the timer, the motor and the solenoid coil, the switch having a first position at normal room temperatures completing the series circuit connection of the motor, the timer and the coil with the voltage source and a second position when immersed in liquid fat at a predetermined temperature disconnecting the timer and the motor from the source to de-energize the motor but maintaining connection of the solenoid to the source whereby the pump is turned olf but the valve remains open to allow liquid fat to continue to drain into the ffilter.

7. In the apparatus of claim 5 further including a reservoir adapted to contain a reserve of liquid fat and having an outlet, a reservoir conduit interconnecting the reservoir outlet and the filter, and an electrically operated valve connected in the reservoir conduit having open and closed positions for allowing and blocking fluid flow from the reservoir to the filter, the electrical system also providing a thermostatic switch mounted in the tank for immersion in liquid fat in the tank and adapted to be emersed from the fat upon lowering of the fat to a predetermined level, a reservoir solenoid including an armature connected to the reservoir valve and a coil, and a relay including a pair of normally open contacts connected in parallel with the timer and a coil adapted upon energization to close the contacts and short out the timer, the thermostatic switch, the relay and reservoir solenoid coils being connected in series with the source of voltage, the thermostatic switch being open when immersed in fat at a predetermined temperature and closing when emersed from the fat to energize the reservoir solenoid thereby to allow fat from the reservoir to ow into the filter and to energize the relay to short out the timer and insure continued action of the motor while the tank is being replenished with fat from the reservoir.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 942,121 White Dec. 7, 1909 1,169,826 Horan Feb. 1, 1916 1,942,132 Blinn Jan. 2, 1934 2,078,641 Spencer April 27, 1937 2,270,327 Mills Jan. 20, 1942 2,338,964 Pappas Jan. 11, 1944 2,533,624 Ray Dec. 12, 1950 2,546,163 McBeth Mar. 27, 1951 2,578,129 Daugherty Dec. 1l, 1951 2,715,869 Salvo Aug. 23, 1955 

1. IN A DEEP FAT FRYER INCLUDING A SUPPORT AND A TANK MOUNTED IN THE SUPPORT ADAPTED TO HOLD LIQUID FAT AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES AND HAVING AN UPPER FAT INLET AND A LOWER FAT OUTLET, AN APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING THE FAT IN THE TANK AT A PREDETERMINED LEVEL AND FOR CONTINUOUSLY RECIRCULATING AND FILTERING THE FACT COMPRISING A FILTER MOUNTED IN THE SUPPORT HAVING AN UPPER INLET CONNECTED IN FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH THE LOWER OUTLET OF THE TANK, A LOWER LIQUID OUTLET, AND MEANS IN THE FILTER FOR REMOVING FOREIGN PARTICLES FROM LIQUID FAT PASSING FROM THE INLET OF THE FILTER TO THE OUTLET THEREOF; A DELIVERY CONDUIT INTERCONNECTING THE FAT INLET IN THE TANK AND THE OUTLET IN THE FILTER; A PUMP CONNECTED IN THE DEIVERY CONDUIT FOR RECIRCULATING LIQUID FAT FROM THE TANK INTO THE FILTER AND BACK INTO THE TANK; A LIQUID FAT RESERVOIR HAVING AN OUTLET AND BEING CONNECTED TO PRESSURE MEANS FOR FORCING SUCH FAT OUT OF THE RESERVOIR THROUGH SAID OUTLET; A RESERVOIR CONDUCTOR PROVIDING FLUID CONNECTION BETWEEN THE FILTER AND OUTLET OF THE RESERVOIR; A RESERVOIR VALVE CONNECTED IN THE RESERVOIR CONDUCTOR; ELECTROMAGNETIC MEANS CONNECTED TO THE VALVE FOR OPENING AND CLOSING THE SAME WHEREBY WITH THE VALVE OPEN, SAID PRESSURE MEANS PASSES FAT FROM THE RESERVOIR INTO THE FILTER; AND A THERMOSTAT CONNECTED TO THE ELECTROMAGNETIC MEANS AND EXTENDED INTO THE TANK FOR OPERATING THE ELECTROMAGNETIC MEANS TO CLOSE THE VALVE WHEN SUBMERSED IN LIQUID FAT IN THE TANK AND FOR OPERATING THE ELECTROMAGNETIC MEANS TO OPEN THE VALVE WHEN THE LEVEL OF THE LIQUID FAT IN THE TANK FALLS BELOW THE THERMOSTAT. 